Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 174 My Family

After the old man’s explanation, Yan Ciwan and his group finally knew the truth of the matter.

The old man in front of me is named Jia. His wife had passed away a long time ago. Not long ago, his son went to the city to sell mountain products, but he never came back. His daughter-in-law went down the mountain to look for him, but he has not returned yet.

Now there are only him and his grandson left in this family.

Unexpectedly, this morning a group of bandits broke into his house, tied up and gagged the grandparents and grandchildren without any explanation, and locked them in the woodshed.

Mr. Jia couldn't see what was happening outside, but from the noise he could roughly guess that the group was planning to set up an ambush here.

As for the target of their ambush, it should be Yan Ciwan and his group.

Old Master Jia was extremely anxious, fearing that the people in front of him would vent their anger on him and his grandson.

Yan Ciwan asked: "How can you prove that this is your home?"

"I have the deed and the household registration documents!" Mr. Jia took out a key from his pocket and handed it over tremblingly. "Go to my bedroom and open the bottom drawer of the bedside table, and you will see the deed and the documents."

Yan Ciwan took the key and handed it to Uncle Jiu.

Uncle Jiu took the key and left quickly. Not long after, he came back with the house deed and documents.

Xiao Wang checked the title deed and documents, and compared them with Mr. Jia's fingerprints, confirming that what he said was true and this was indeed his home.

Xiao Wang returned the house deed and the keys to Mr. Jia, helped him up personally, and comforted him with gentle words.

Seeing that they were all very easy to talk to and had no intention of taking their anger out on him, Mr. Jia breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Wang said that they wanted to stay here tonight and took out a string of copper coins.

"This is our room fee for tonight. I hope you can help me."

Mr. Jia didn't expect that he not only escaped a disaster, but also made a small profit. He was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly accepted the money and said, "Okay, okay, I'll go clean up the house for you right away."

Just in case, Yan Ciwan and his group ate the dry food and water they brought with them tonight.

After they simply washed up, they went to bed.

Because he drank the drugged ginger soup, Du Lingzhou slept very deeply that night. When everyone got up the next morning, he was the only one who was still groggy and looked unconscious.

He definitely couldn't ride a horse in this state, so Yan Ci Wan swapped places with him. He and the female family members rode in the carriage while Yan Ci Wan rode a horse.

Mr. Jia saw them out, and before leaving he couldn't help but make a request.

"My son and daughter-in-law have not returned since they went to Jin County. I am afraid something has happened to them, but it is inconvenient for me to go down the mountain with my old arms and legs. Besides, I have to stay at home to take care of my grandson, so I can't go find them. Can you help me? If you pass by Jin County, can you help me ask the county government to see if anyone in the city knows where they are?"

Xiao Wang asked: "What is your son's name? What are his appearance?"

"His name is Jia Kang, he is 30 years old, a little shorter than you, with dark skin and a square face. He is a hunter who hunts all year round. There is a scar on the back of his hand left by a scratch from the prey. My daughter-in-law's surname is Chen, she is 26 years old, has a round face, and there is a mole under her left eyebrow."

Xiao Wang wrote down what he said and said he would help find it.

Mr. Jia thanked him again and again and wanted to return the rent he had given last night, but Xiao Wang politely declined.

After Xiao Wang said goodbye to him, he left on horseback with Yan Ciwan and his party.

After walking a long way, Yan Ciwan looked back and saw Old Master Jia still standing on the side of the road, stretching his neck and watching them eagerly. His hunched and skinny figure looked quite pitiful.

Yan Ciwan withdrew his gaze and said to Xiao Wang.

"Our next stop is Jin County. It's a coincidence that Mr. Jia's son and daughter-in-law disappeared in Jin County." Xiao Wang asked, "Do you suspect Mr. Jia?"

"He seems fine, maybe I'm just being too suspicious."

Xiao Wang said: "It is right to be cautious when you go out. When we get to Jin County, I will ask my brother to check on Mr. Jia's family. If his son and daughter-in-law are really missing, then help him find them."

Yan Ciwan replied, "That's great."

Today she still wore a scarf and gloves, her neck and hands were well protected and she didn't feel cold at all.

Li Chengge followed on horseback. He looked at his cousin and Ning Ci in front of him and smiled meaningfully.

No matter how he tried to ask, his cousin refused to reveal who his sweetheart was. He could only observe secretly and analyze the situation silently in his heart.

There are only three young unmarried girls in their team, namely Ning Ci Chaolu and Luhua.

Chaolu has already cancelled her engagement with her cousin. The relationship between the two is average and they have no private contact at all, so she can basically be ruled out.

Luhua stays with Liu every day, and communication with her cousin is almost zero, let alone impossible.

This leaves Ning Ci as the only one left.

Li Chengge's gaze lingered between his cousin and Ning Ci. He had always felt that the relationship between the two was very unusual. Now it seemed that his guess was right. There must be something fishy between the two!

Three days later they arrived in Jin County safely.

Xiao Wang's eldest brother had already sent someone to wait outside the city gate. The person who came was a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old, named Ah He.

Ah He had seen Xiao Wang in his family home in Dongdu before, so he recognized Xiao Wang as soon as he appeared.

He walked over quickly and saluted with his arms crossed: "Ah He greets Liu Lang."

Xiao Wang rode on the horse and nodded slightly at him in response.

Then Ah He bowed to Li Chengge again: "Ah He greets Li Sanlang."

Li Chengge asked casually, "Are your master and mistress okay?"

Ah He smiled and replied, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Li Sanlang."

Normally, everyone entering the city had to be checked, but the city guards obviously knew Ah He. When they learned that the visitor was the brother of County Magistrate Xiao, how could they dare to check his status? They immediately withdrew and let him go without saying a word.

Yan Ciwan managed to get away with it and entered the county town with everyone.

Ah He wanted to take Xiao Wang and Li Chengge directly to the county government office, but Yan Ciwan, Chao Lu and others were not members of the Xiao family, so they did not want to disturb them rashly, so they planned to find an inn in the city to stay.

Xiao Wang advised, "When we were in Xiangzhou, we were invited to stay at the imperial residence. Now that you have come to Jin County, how can I let you stay at an inn? If my elder brother and elder sister-in-law knew about this, they would definitely blame me for not treating their guests well. You don't have to worry too much and come with me to the county government office. My elder brother and elder sister-in-law are both hospitable people, and they will be very happy to see you."

Li Chengge agreed with a smile: "Yes, you don't have to be polite, just treat your cousin and his wife as your own family!"

He slightly emphasized the tone of the three words "family" and glanced at Yan Ciwan deliberately.

Xiao Wang noticed his little action but did not point it out.

In the end, Yan Ci Wan, Chao Lu and others accepted Xiao Wang's invitation, and the group rushed to the county government office in a lively manner.

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　　(End of this chapter)